State wrestling notebook: Broomfield advances six to 4A quarterfinals

Eagles sit fourth in team standings

Broomfield's Drew Romero, top, works for back points against Montrose's Emmanuel Sandoval during their 113-pound first-round match on Thursday at the state wrestling tournament in Denver.
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JEREMY PAPASSO
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DENVER -- Over the course of his career, Phil Downing has made winning championships appear as simple as lacing up his wrestling shoes. But the Broomfield junior promises his latest campaign has been one of his most difficult.

The Eagles' 145-pound two --time champion is aiming to pin down an unprecedented milestone for his team -- three straight titles. And sitting on the cusp of making history has a way of even making the most seasoned athletes fight the jitters.

Frayed nerves, however, were less than evident in Downing's opening match of the Class 4A state tournament on Thursday night at the Pepsi Center. The junior was the picture of efficiency in his match against Nick Rocha, pinning the Pueblo Centennial wrestler in less than a minute.

"It's very important to get every match over as fast as I can," said Downing, whose fall came in 56 seconds. "That way I can focus on my main goal of winning my championship."

Downing's individual state championship was not the only thing weighing on the wrestler's mind. The Eagles entered as the favorite to win the state team title. And with six wrestlers alive in the championship brackets after the first day, the team's coach is optimistic about where Broomfield stands.

The only surprise loss, from coach Joe Pereira's perspective, was D.J. Zissimos. But even with the 195-pounder falling after a late takedown, the coach believes there are still plenty of points to be earned in the front and back sides of the 4A brackets.

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"We wrestled well and did what we needed to do today," said Pereira, whose team sits fourth in the team standings after the first day.

COYOTES' MCQUADE FALLS

Preston McQuade had his work cut out entering Wednesday's Class 5A state meet. And while he put up a fight, the Monarch wrestler could not find his way out of the opening round.

The Coyotes' 120-pounder was pinned in the opening period of his match against Mitch Finesilver. But a win against the Cherry Creek wrestler would have taken all McQuade had and more. The Bruins' junior was a state finalist a year ago and is a favorite to contend for the title this season.

McQuade starts his quest for a consolation place today, facing Lakewood's Isaac Dinette.

BOULDER'S COLUCCI KNOCKED TO CONSOLATIONS

Theo Colucci rode the razor's edge into his first state qualification. But the Boulder 220-pounder could not find a way to parlay his run of tight wins in regionals to one at the Pepsi Center.

The senior fell in Thursday's opening round of the Class 5A state tournament after Jakob Buys pinned him in the first round. After falling to the Ralston Valley wrestler in 25 seconds, Colucci has to regroup to face Regis' Nick Elgin in Friday's first round of the consolation brackets.

Follow Elwood on Twitter @ElwoodKShelton.

CLASS 5A FIRST ROUND

DENVER -- First-round results Thursday from the Colorado Class 5A state high school wrestling tournament held at Pepsi Center.

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